Artist Focus: Joana Clement

  Joana Clement is a Malden artist who derives much of her passion and artistic know-how from her childhood in Haiti. As a young person, she observed her mother and aunt making custom clothing, including making small petal embroidery with beads. She was deeply influenced by the artistic nature of her family in all mediums, including arts and crafts, sewing, baking and cooking.

  As a high school student at Malden High, she felt drawn to taking studio art and ceramics, learning how to observe and follow patterns and shapes through drawing. This passion led her to include these artistic forms in her work. In her work at the Malden YWCA, Ferryway School, and at her church, she included arts, crafts and other creative activities.

  Clement was inspired by the Haitian custom of giving flowers to visitors at church as a welcome present – to make people feel valued, loved and welcome – and this led to her development of creating brooches in the shape of flowers, which are on sale at The Gallery@57.

  If you would like to honor this tradition or just want to give a beautiful gift for the New Year, come to The Gallery@57 (57 Pleasant St., Malden).